This is the beautiful sight I saw out of my living room window as I was sitting doing my devotions and thinking about the election. The beauty in nature always reminds me of the power and majesty of God.
It's been 2 days since the election and you are probably tired of hearing about it. I'm going to share a few thoughts I have had regarding it and then I'll be quiet!
Most of you probably know that the man who won was not who I voted for. I do think it's wonderful that we as a nation have come to the point where a black man can be elected president. How thrilling this has to be for people of color - for the older people who lived through some terrible prejudice. For younger people who can look ahead and not feel that their race will hold them back.
I do not agree with most of Barack Obama's policies and I'm very concerned about what his presidency will bring. However, I think we have to remember that we still need to respect him as our leader. We do not have to agree with him - but we have to respect him.
I looked up some Bible passages regarding Kings and found several that spoke of honor and kings, but this one really spoke to me.
Peter tells believers in 1 Peter 2:17:
"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Do you know who the king was at that time? It was Nero, one of the worst persecutors of Christians, ever. If Peter told people to honor Nero, we can certainly respect Barack Obama.
Yes - we need to speak up in opposition for things we don't believe in, but in the proper manner. What else should we be doing? Praying! We need to be praying for Barack Obama as he prepares for this position. Pray for him once he is in office, for wisdom in the decisions he makes and the people he surrounds himself with. While you are praying for him, remember to pray for President Bush as well as our country.
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"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6
Most of you probably know that the man who won was not who I voted for. I do think it's wonderful that we as a nation have come to the point where a black man can be elected president. How thrilling this has to be for people of color - for the older people who lived through some terrible prejudice. For younger people who can look ahead and not feel that their race will hold them back.
I do not agree with most of Barack Obama's policies and I'm very concerned about what his presidency will bring. However, I think we have to remember that we still need to respect him as our leader. We do not have to agree with him - but we have to respect him.
I looked up some Bible passages regarding Kings and found several that spoke of honor and kings, but this one really spoke to me.
Peter tells believers in 1 Peter 2:17:
"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Do you know who the king was at that time? It was Nero, one of the worst persecutors of Christians, ever. If Peter told people to honor Nero, we can certainly respect Barack Obama.
Yes - we need to speak up in opposition for things we don't believe in, but in the proper manner. What else should we be doing? Praying! We need to be praying for Barack Obama as he prepares for this position. Pray for him once he is in office, for wisdom in the decisions he makes and the people he surrounds himself with. While you are praying for him, remember to pray for President Bush as well as our country.
.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6
Yes, and amen -- to all of that.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading through Philippians 4 today, too. No coincidence. That's how God networks His people.
Very well said.
ReplyDeleteyou may not have voted for him,but I gre he is our next president and we must stand behing him.
ReplyDeleteI love that verse. Great post Mari. So true...we need to pray for our nation.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Kat
(I have a double dog dare for you)
Well said Mari - you are so right!
ReplyDeleteAs followers of Jesus Christ we need to be "salty" Salt in this world.
Some good thoughts, Mari, thanks ~
ReplyDeleteso far, I've heard from a couple Christian Blogger friends of mine that Obama was not their choice.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this I wonder?
Sorry I'm from Canada, and don't watch the news. I am SO out of the loop!
Is Obama against Christianity???
I think this is the best written post I've read in a VERY long time. It's EXACTLY what I needed today. I feel just the way you do, but couldn't quite put it in the proper words. THANK YOU!
ReplyDelete~melody~
I agreed completely!
ReplyDeleteVery well put Mari, appreciated you thoughts on the subject and hearing what Gods word say's about the issues.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Mari, but his choice of Chief of Staff yesterday scared me when I googled his name. A news e-mail that I received yesterday said that the choice of this man is a change in the tone of O.'s leadership.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where we are on the eschatological charts???
I cannot keep from marveling at what is happening.
I agree with all of your thoughts. Thank you for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the bad child whose mother say's to him "tell your brother your sorry" - he repeats the words, doesn't feel them, but is obedient. God asks for our obedience - I must pray for Obama, even if I don't feel like it. God honors obedience.
ReplyDeleteWell said Mari, I want parents to remember too that what you say or have said goes right into your children.They love to talk about current events and want to add to a discussion, and usually they just say what they hear from us parents. So I encourage all of us to speak respect for the President.And include him in our daily prayers.Take care,Patty
ReplyDeleteI agree. Like him or not, he'll be in the Oval Office in January and he'll need our prayers for wisdom and guidance.
ReplyDeleteLet's keep his wife and daughters in our prayers as well. I'm sure this transition will not only be exciting but also stressful for all of them.
Enjoy your day!
i loved seeing you saying to pray for him. no matter what we think or believe, he's still gonna be our president and God always has a plan! good thoughts mari!
ReplyDeleteYou always know just what to say at just the right time...Bless you...Kae
ReplyDeletei must admit i am TRYING to not be anxious...trying. i do think if things get much worse then people will turn to Jesus even more, and that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT post Mari. Thank so much for sharing and for calling to account all believers.
ReplyDeleteJust as Peter told the people to honor the king, so too did David respond (as he was on the run) to his people regarding their desire to kill Saul.
"He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul." 1 Samuel 24.6-7
I've been thinking on this passage straight through the election process. Ultimately, God has allowed our leadership. And He redeems all things for the good. And it is not my place to go against authority. (Except to stand firm for my beliefs and that which is right and true in God)
Thanks for sharing this post Mari. I am committing once more to praying for the direction of this nation.
Before the election I had a thought- yeah, hard to believe. Anyway, that if Obama wins, maybe Christians will come together in prayer for our country and the great things God has for us.
ReplyDeleteSo lets get started!
perfect scripture to go along with your post
That was well said my friend!! I am praying. We always need to pray for our country and our leaders all the time. God is in control and only God can change things through our prayers! Have a great weekend:)
ReplyDeleteExcellent Post Mari!
ReplyDeletewell put, Mari! I couldn't agree more! Praise the Lord for including such applicable examples in His Word!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing....so well said!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with so many others, that your words are wise and well said. Thank you, Mari.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Patty (anonymous) above, that parents need to guard their attitudes and words. When we hear disrespectful talk and attitudes about national leaders from our students at school, we are quite sure that the kids did not think up those things all by themselves.